At the tenth attempt Wealdstone finally showed why they were promoted displaying real guts and determination on Tuesday evening to overcome third placed and big spending Whitehawk on their own patch.
Stones shook off the depressing shackles of the past week and that dreadful 2-4 reverse at Concord when many were already preparing to write their season off in mid-September.
Midfielder Luke Pigden was the Stones hero on 41 minutes when he netted from a free kick after home ‘keeper John Sullivan misjudged the flight of the ball to send the travelling Stones army into ecstasy
One win does not turn a season around of course but this victory will hugely lift confidence as the Stones management team look to re-engineer the side by whatever means necessary and, more importantly, prepare to face St Albans City at The Vale on Saturday and a massive FA Cup tie with Concord the week after.
The Hawks started well and piled on the pressure late on as the well marshalled Stones defence repelled everything thrown at them as the away side dug in and held on, finally proving that they can deliver under pressure.
But this was an excellent all round team performance and Stones Manager Gordon Bartlett left East Brighton a relieved man knowing there is much work still to be done to ensure that a hard won result does not end up a flash in the pan.
Wealdstone: North, Mills, Hammond, Hamblin, Cronin, Godfrey, Wright, Pigden, McGleish, Hickey, O’Nien. Subs used: Ahamed. Other subs: Malcolm, Bola, Turner, Bihmoutine,
Crowd: 209 (Wealdstone 100)
